Mr. Seahorse
Supporting Member
Got it thanks for the clarification.
2025 Budget Tank Build Exhibition
- Thread starter ReyDeFarts
- Start date
My view would be if you're not monetarily comfortable putting something in the pay it forward forum, then you can't coherently say it's worth $0. If you say it's worth less than MSRP, then you should be completely comfortable selling it for whatever amount you say in the sell forums for that amount, to someone you don't have a personal relationship with.
If you have $3k MSRP of lights and you're saying that is worth $100 for the budget contest, then you are also saying you'd be willing to sell them for $100 to a random person on the forum or Craigslist. If you balk at that, and say no, I would only sell it for $1k, then you have your answer on what the cost is
My assumption being the thing to show/prove/disprove is the hobby can be done without deep pockets by a new person. That it's more about focusing on the basics then buying a bunch of stuff. An exhibition/contest where someone's using $7k worth of equipment feels kind of silly in a budget build contest, regardless of if they got it by being BFFs with a bunch of friends who give them free stuff.
An alternative way to follow this logic would be start the challenge with a flea market sale. Everyone bring all the equipment they're planning on using to a meet up, with the price they'd be willing to sell it for. Everyone can spend $500 on stuff, taking turns, and can buy their own stuff too. That's probably not what people would want to do, but that's the mindset that would be _fair_ IMO.
If you have $3k MSRP of lights and you're saying that is worth $100 for the budget contest, then you are also saying you'd be willing to sell them for $100 to a random person on the forum or Craigslist. If you balk at that, and say no, I would only sell it for $1k, then you have your answer on what the cost is
My assumption being the thing to show/prove/disprove is the hobby can be done without deep pockets by a new person. That it's more about focusing on the basics then buying a bunch of stuff. An exhibition/contest where someone's using $7k worth of equipment feels kind of silly in a budget build contest, regardless of if they got it by being BFFs with a bunch of friends who give them free stuff.
An alternative way to follow this logic would be start the challenge with a flea market sale. Everyone bring all the equipment they're planning on using to a meet up, with the price they'd be willing to sell it for. Everyone can spend $500 on stuff, taking turns, and can buy their own stuff too. That's probably not what people would want to do, but that's the mindset that would be _fair_ IMO.
H2OPlayar
Supporting Member
My thought is that I could "enter" my 30 gallon acrylic tank w/ an ap700, old small skimmer, and tunze ato that is touchy. Nothing bigger or fancier even though I bought it for a bit more 4 years ago and I would never sell this acrylic tank, even for $1k (thanks Corallus) . This is all in the name of education, so show off how much you can do with very little "high tech". More pictures and more info only helps the new people see what can be accomplished.
My single holy grail micromussa is now 5+ polyps with a little tlc, afr, and stability.
My single holy grail micromussa is now 5+ polyps with a little tlc, afr, and stability.
Captain Ron
Supporting Member
So I have been thinking of entering this contest, and perhaps I will. I originally read this as a demonstration that someone completely new to the hobby could put together a system economically to enjoy. With this in mind, if I put together an entry it will be with completely new, commercially available equipment, and not reliant on that old piece of equipment I had lying around, or the lucky scavenge off a listing on the internet. The build would have what I considered to be useful/desirable features, and I would like to do it for the lowest cost possible. I would want the same (or very nearly the same) system to be accessible to others. For example, if 10 people wanted to build the same system for a similar price, they would be able to do so in a short period of time. I have already started doing lots of research and acquiring some equipment. Hopefully I can come up with a setup I consider desirable and sufficiently inexpensive. I'll try not to get discouraged after seeing other people's awesome builds.
This is great too! You get the opposite end of the spectrum with new and available items to anyone.
MarcosD
Supporting Member
I like this idea and was going to be the route I take if I join in on this. I don’t think I will because I have too much going on but I’m already considering some items if I do. For a new item setup it’d definitely have to be a nano. Getting equipment for a larger tank all under $500 would be too difficult
tribbitt
Supporting Member
2 quick questions regarding corals, not sure if they've already been asked
If a coral I paid for grows in my main tank, and I cut a frag of that for the budget tank, does it count towards my budget?
And if I make back any money by selling trimmings of coral that outgrew the budget tank does that count towards reducing "cost"?
If a coral I paid for grows in my main tank, and I cut a frag of that for the budget tank, does it count towards my budget?
And if I make back any money by selling trimmings of coral that outgrew the budget tank does that count towards reducing "cost"?
MarcosD
Supporting Member
Final decision is up to Andy but I don’t think selling frags to reduce spent budget should be a thing. Something like high end zoas which grow relatively fast could basically write off what you spend on a budget build which I think defeats the purpose
Regarding your first question, I think it was mentioned somewhere that if it’s a frag of something you grew then it does not count towards cost. Only if you buy said frag
That would be the same as a PIF piece from someone else. I will add this distinction in the rules.
"Frags from a different tank you own, will not count toward the budget."
How does that sound?
We never discussed this specific aspect of the hobby. Lots of folks attempt to make trades or sell frags to make back money. You could in theory put in a frag from your other tank that is worth a $100, which would cost $0 to your budget since it's a frag. Then you frag it again in your budget tank, and then sell it for $100. Now you've reduced your budget by $100 without it actually costing you $100. Do that 5x and you've got a $0 budget tank. Make sense? I think that defeats the purpose of this exhibition.
If you want to frag and make trades for equipment or supplies, that has not been mentioned in the rules. That is basically the same thing as selling a frag I suppose.
Personally, I feel like we may be wandering into the weeds of various scenarios that complicate things. But I do understand where you're coming from with your question.
How does everyone want to approach this?
At the end of the day, I'm simply coordinating this the best I can for the club, which is all of you. I want it to be fun for you all. You are all the club and whatever you want implemented, can be done with enough consensus IMO.
Reefer Madness
Supporting Member
I'm still patiently waiting for @SupraSaltyReefer to lower the price of a tank and stand he has been holding on for me lmfao
SupraSaltyReefer
Supporting Member
Which tank and stand is that? I might have set it up already lol
Reefer Madness
Supporting Member
That fancy IM 15g lol once my wife seen that she said it is the only exception to me getting a tank because it will match the one we have and it would also be in the living room. So it needs to look similar to what we have and under 500 so it is basically a impossible task to get a new tank but I think that was her intention. Even if I complete the impossible task it needs to be a anemone tank that she sets up and I take care of lol
SupraSaltyReefer
Supporting Member
Nothing is impossible when it comes to setting up a new tank. Tank hoarders always find a way! lol
I've got a IM White APS 40L stand you can put both tanks on. Will look like a smaller version of your 170EXT
Reefer Madness
Supporting Member
Lol yeah she only wants a 10 to 15g lmfao she has very particular in what she wants lol
PizzaOven
Supporting Member
My girlfriend constantly refers to my 65g as the “huge reef tank.” She also thinks 10g is the perfect size lmao. We need more space for activities!!
Reefer Madness
Supporting Member
Yeah I know it lol idk if I could convince her otherwise. It was alot to convince to get another tank buti think that's why she put all these rules in place lol
tribbitt
Supporting Member
Tbh, there’s not a going to be a tremendous volume of entries so this could be case by case
But I get where the selling problem comes in. Essentially lets you add to your budget for free, especially if you just keep taking frags from your main tank
Only reason I ask is because my current tank could never have gotten to where it is without trades and some sales, whether for store credit or actual money. Same as some people who sell cuttings to offset the cost of plants, etc
But I get where the selling problem comes in. Essentially lets you add to your budget for free, especially if you just keep taking frags from your main tank
Only reason I ask is because my current tank could never have gotten to where it is without trades and some sales, whether for store credit or actual money. Same as some people who sell cuttings to offset the cost of plants, etc
NanoCrazed
Supporting Member
Well... this looks like fun. And coincidentally, I just started a new nano reef.... guess I'll join. Now let's see if I can keep up with month updates